Pearl couscous is the giant form of the more common tiny couscous. Also known as gourmet and Israeli couscous, it’s like little pearls of pasta – hence the name! Makes a fabulous salad and is a great one to take to gatherings for something different that never fails to impress.
Pearl Couscous Salad
The immature child within wants to call this a Giant Couscous Salad. But the proper name is Pearl Couscous Salad, so I went with sensible. But now I’m kind of regretting it!
Pearl couscous is the big brother of the more common tiny couscous that I use as a side dish for Moroccan and African dishes like tagine. Commonly mistaken as a grain, couscous is actually a type of pasta, and is ideal used in salads like in this recipe, or as a side like in this Syrian chicken.
While the tiny couscous can be prepared by soaking in hot water, pearl couscous needs to be simmered on the stove. In my view, the most delicious way to do this is to cook it like risotto, starting with sautéed garlic and onion then using broth instead of water. This infuses the couscous with so much flavor, you can even serve it plain as a side.
What you need for this pearl couscous salad
I’ve given this salad a Mediterranean spin with a bright lemon dressing, pops of tomato, juicy crunch of cucumber and a good hit of fresh herbs. The combination of dill and coriander/cilantro is a firm favourite. If you haven’t tried it before, you’re in for a treat!
For the salad
Pearl couscous (see photos above) – Giant couscous that are sold in packets labelled as such. Other names it goes by include gourmet couscous and Israeli couscous. Find it alongside ordinary tiny couscous, usually in the pasta aisle.
Garlic, onion and vegetable or chicken broth – This is for cooking the pearl couscous. As mentioned above, I like to cook the couscous in flavour to make it more delicious. Try it once and you’ll never look back!
Fresh herbs – Dill and coriander/cilantro are a wonderful combination that I love using. Really try not to skip the herbs as they lift the dish. But in my view, this is still worth making even if you do not have one or both of these as the couscous itself and dressing add great flavour into the salad.
Best substitutes are: parsley (same quantity) or a bit of chives (say, 1/4 cup finely sliced). For a different flavour profile but something beautifully fresh, try mint and parsley, finely chopped. Add to taste. Be bold! 🙂
Baby spinach – Leafy green of choice. Finely sliced so it tosses through the couscous.
Alternatives: Baby rocket/arugula, torn by hand or chopped into smaller bits (so it tosses though well). Or finely sliced kale, but best to marinate it first to soften the tougher leaves. Follow directions in this recipe.
Cherry tomatoes – For juicy pops and lovely colour. Ordinary tomato cut into chunks or large dice will also work.
Cucumber – For fresh crunch. Nice textural contrast as there’s no nuts or anything else crunchy in this.
Lemon dressing
A bright lemon dressing is a natural pairing here. No surprises in the ingredients! If you don’t have Dijon Mustard, sub with ordinary yellow mustard. And the lemon juice can be substituted with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
How to make pearl couscous salad
The pearl couscous needs to be cooked around 1 hour in advance to give it sufficient time to cool before tossing with the salad ingredients. You can speed up the cooling process by spreading it on a tray and refrigerating it.
Sauté garlic and onion in a large saucepan or small pot over medium high heat until the onion is translucent and starting to brown.
Add couscous and stir, cooking for 1 minute, to coat it in the flavoured oil. Add the stock/broth and water. Then once it starts simmering, place the lid on and turn the heat down to medium low.
Cook for 10 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is cooked through but still firm.
Cool – Use a fork to separate the couscous, then transfer into a large bowl to cool. The couscous will stick together into a big block. But don’t worry, it will separate when tossed with the dressing.
Dressing – Shake the ingredients together in a jar.
Toss! Add all the salad ingredients and fresh herbs into the bowl with the couscous then toss well with the Dressing. Serve immediately, at room temperature!
What to serve with this pearl couscous salad
Serve it as a meal in itself, which is what I often do, or as a side.
As a side dish, with the bright Mediterranean flavours in this, the obvious pairing would be all things Mediterranean like Greek Baked Chicken, Turkish lamb skewers, Greek Meatballs and Greek butterflied lamb leg. But I especially love serving this with African and Middle Eastern spiced things – like Chicken Shawarma which is pictured below, and Moroccan Lamb backstraps . The fresh flavours of this pearl couscous salad are a terrific contrast to the earthy, complex flavours of Middle Eastern flavours.
Other similar spiced mains include Middle Eastern Lamb Koftas, Lamb Shawarma (oh my, this is SO GOOD!), Moroccan Lamb Meatballs and the Jerk Fish I shared earlier this week (YES! It would be amazing with this!).
Deceptively large amount of greens!
There is a deceptively large amount of greens packed into this salad. Because the beads of couscous are so small relative to, for example, pasta, there’s a lot more “stuff” for veggies to be stirred into. I’m not really explaining it very well! But if (WHEN!!!) you make this, you’ll feel like there’s a ton of greens for just 1 1/2 cups of couscous. But the couscous expands when cooking and once it’s all tossed together, it seems like just the right amount.
Hidden veggies!
Salad that can be eaten with a spoon!
Why does it feel so immature that this appeals to me so much??? – Nagi xx
Watch how to make it
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Pearl Couscous Salad
Ingredients
Couscous:
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- ½ small onion , finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups (250g/ 8oz) pearl couscous (aka gourmet or Israeli couscous, Note 1)
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken broth , low sodium
- 1 cup water
Salad:
- 2 cucumbers , diced (about 2 cups)
- 250g / 8 oz cherry tomatoes , halved (about 2 cups)
- 3 cups baby spinach , finely sliced (Note 2)
- ¼ cup coriander / cilantro , finely chopped (or sub with parsley)
- ¼ cup dill , finely chopped
Lemon Dressing (Note 3):
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 1 tsp sugar , optional
- 3/4 tsp cooking / kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Couscous:
- Sauté onion & garlic – Heat oil in a large saucepan or small pot over medium high heat. Add garlic and onion, saute until the onion is translucent and starting to brown.
- Couscous & broth – Add couscous and stir, cooking for 1 minute. Add broth and water, bring to a simmer. Then place the lid on and turn the heat down to medium low so it is simmering gently.
- Cook for 10 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is cooked through but still firm. Use a fork to separate the couscous, then transfer into a large bowl to cool. (It will form a sticky block but don't worry, it will separate when tossed with Dressing).
Salad:
- Dressing – Place Dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well.
- Toss! Add Salad ingredients into the bowl, pour over Dressing and toss. Serve at room temperature.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Originally published July 2017. Updated January 2023 with a name change from Israeli Couscous Salad to Pearl Couscous Salad due to the political sensitivity around the recipe name. The brand I used to use sold this type of couscous labelled as “Israeli couscous”. I don’t want my website to be a political forum so I’ve changed the name. And actually, these days most packets are labelled “pearl couscous”. Post has also been updated with an improved video worthy of this fabulous salad and refreshed photos. No change to recipe – it’s perfect as is!
MORE SUMMER SALADS to take to gatherings
Wild Rice Salad <– reader fave!
Everybody’s favourite Macaroni Salad
Browse all Pasta Salads and Rice Salad
Life of Dozer
Teamwork! 😂 (Dozer on the left with this friend Aggie on the right!)
Hi this looks delicious! I am not supposed to have tomatoes 🙁 will this still taste good? Is there anything else that I can add instead of the tomatoes?
Hi Carolyn, how about grilled capsicum? – N x
Wow! That lemon dressing is out of this world. It will become my go-to lemon dressing as it is yours. Mmmm!
I had to cook the couscous longer otherwise it would have been too chewy.
Love this salad! Thanks, Nagi!
I’m so glad you loved it Robin, I could eat this every single day!
A new favourite salad and just in time as I have company coming soon and will add this to the menu! My local grocery store did not have the couscous call d for in this recipe and so I used the regular (smaller) size and it was still delicious – a very refreshing salad with loads of flavour!
Yesssss! I’m so glad you loved it!
OMG Deliciousness in a bowl. This is so good.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it Judith, I could eat this EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! – N x
My new summer favorite salad! Just delicious
Wahoo, I’m so glad you loved it Abgg!
Really easy to make and tastes delicious. I put a handful of roasted pine nuts and some pomegranate seeds in as well. Lovely
Yum, sounds like a great idea Scott – N x
Wow, this recipe is terrific!
Your instructions re cooking the couscous are spot on – most other recipes online were confusing about this.
Everyone loved it – very refreshing in summer.
I made a few changes – I used arugula instead of spinach, and added 1/2 red onion chopped fine. Also left out sugar. Used parsley instead of coriander and mint.
Thanks for the great recipe. You rock!♥️
Sounds like you nailed it Howard!!
First, I have not cooked this recipe but I have cooked many of your other one….and I am a novice…so when you state that one cooks the chicken to golden brown…I fail…never gold…what am I doing wrong. Thank you
Hi Everett, sounds like you need to turn up the heat a little to get the golden colour 🙂
Served this with steak. Delicious!! Thank you!
A great combo, I’m so happy you liked it Pat!
Hi Nagi. A few weeks ago I made your lentil salad using the lemon, garlic EVOO dressing. It was delicious. I had leftover dressing. I made your couscous salad yesterday with the leftover dressing and it was just so good. I used plain couscous as I eat GF. The timing of your couscous salad was perfect….I was getting ready to chuck my leftover dressing. Love your recipes. Thank you.
That would be great on this salad!!
This salad is SO good! We added feta cheese too and loved it.
I’m so happy you love it!
Excellent accompaniment with rainbow trout.
Perfect!
Hi Nagi, I moved house and I have a beautiful big butlers pantry now that I can see everything I have and I found I had two boxes of normal couscous. Do you think it would be ok to use normal as opposed to Israeli couscous? What do you think.
You definitely could Marlene, however I would use a 1:1 ratio of boiling water to couscous. I usually boil the water in a jug and add it to a bowl of couscous and cover with a plate. Let it sit for 5 minutes and then fluff it with a fork.
How is the Israeli Couscous different from Tapioca? Can i use it instead?
I love your recipes and often make them for my family here in South Africa.
This is a really fresh tasting and delicious salad! This was my first time cooking Israeli couscous, and I absolutely love it. I love the combination of tastes and textures. The only tweak I think I might make in future would be a little more lemon juice and a little less black pepper. I served it with your Chicken Shawarma….also delicious and so, so tender.
Love that you enjoyed this Paula! Thanks for letting me know – N x
This looks so lovely!!! It ‘s hard to get giant couscous in Luxembourg, so I sometimes use orzo pasta instead. I think that could also work in this recipe 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!
Ohh! I do that too, all the time 🙂 They are practically the same size! N x
Delicious and easy! I used regular couscous and prepared it using directions on the box. The salad turned out delicious – perfect healthy summer meal. Thank you!! 😊👌
Love hearing that Esther! Thanks for sharing your feedback! N x ❤️
So good!! The only things I did differently were I rinsed the couscous as I always do with any other pasta I am using in a salad and I used mint instead of dill. Took to a pool party and it was a huge hit!!
Thank You!
Good tip on the washing. Thanks.
Love hearing that Stephanie! Thanks for sharing your feedback! N x ❤
Having this again tonight with Roast Pork. Love the Israeli Salad. Your Roast Pork reminder came just in time as I felt Pork would be the go for tonight and a perfect partnering with the salad.
I watched the video and read the description but I want to be 100% certain – no need to bring the water/stock up to a boil before covering, right?
Hi Jenna! That’s right, pop the lid on then bring it up to a simmer 🙂 N xx